Cotton bags are making a huge comeback, replacing the hazardous plastic bags as a safer alternative. Here are five undeniable reasons why you should join the bandwagon, make the switch, and begin using reusable shopping bags, today.
1. Reuse. Recycle. Reduce.
While you may have heard, seen, or even practiced this golden rule, a reusable shopping bag will bring you closer to the green mantra, without any additional efforts. Cotton is a sturdier, economical, and reusable alternative to everyday shopping bags, including paper. You can machine-wash a cotton shopping bag making it a more hygienic alternative too.
Cotton bags lead to nearly zero wastage. Here is a small example, have an old cotton bag that may have been too worn to be used as a shopping bag? Turn it into a handy and inexpensive kitchen wash towel. Use your ingenuity and you can contribute to emptying landfills one cotton bag at a time.
Apart from their role as reusable shopping bags, cotton bags can be used as stylish beach totes, diaper bags, floor rugs, and what not! You can incorporate a reusable bag in many different areas of your life, effectively making greener choices.
2. Reusable Shopping Bags Save Money.
Contributing to emptying landfills, a sustainable environment for the next generation, or taking tiny steps to curb climate change may not motivate many, but a pro-tip to save the monies certainly does. Many stores have now begun charging customers for a plastic carry bag. While some may look at it as too much effort to save a dime, compute the total cost spent on a month, and then a year. That is the case for your personal finance; allow us to show you the bigger picture—saving tax payers’ money. A study reports that New York City authorities spend over $12 million annually to dispose off plastic waste. This fact reveals the impact of plastic waste on the monetary resources of a city.
Reusable shopping bags are more than an alternative to plastic; they are a cost-saving, profitable option for economies.
3. Reusable Shopping Bags Carry More Weight and Keep the Produce Fresh.
You will agree that the weight-carrying capacity of plastic bags have made them super convenient and the preferred option. Naturally, then, any alternative will be judged for its weight-carrying capacity. In that department, cotton offers strength along with the sustainability. Reusable shopping bags made of cotton accommodate everything easily, without you having to fear it getting torn. The natural weave and cohesive strength of cotton make it a durable shopping bag alternative.
Furthermore, cotton makes for a breathable fabric, allowing fruits and vegetables to retain their natural freshness. Swap a plastic bag with a mesh cotton bag to store your fruits and veggies and marvel at the difference yourself.
4. You Can Customize Your Reusable Shopping Bag.
You can add a touch of your style to your reusable shopping bag. From an inspiring quote to a trendy pattern, you can have your cotton shopping bag customized to your taste. You can have something printed or embroidered to add color to an otherwise dull shopping bag.
5. Reusable Shopping Bags are Pet Friendly.
Apart from the hazards caused to the environment, plastic bags can be a health hazard to young children and pets. You may have notice your pet playing with a plastic bag. While you may think of it as innocent play, it can cause a choking hazard to them. Pets get easily attracted to the bright colors of the bag, the crinkling sound of plastic, and the smell of food earlier stored in the bag. By replacing such plastic bags with reusable shopping bags, you make your home safer for your pets.
Going green is the need of the hour. Believe it or not, the little switch you make by using reusable shopping bags helps the environment, protects endangered animals, and helps you save some of your monies too.
Gym bag designs drastically revolutionized. The humble duffle is a thing of the past. The latest trends in gym bags give the modern-day gym goer an opportunity to work out in style. You have packed stylish sportswear and boast of high-quality and sleek gym shoes too, then all that is required to complete your gym look is an on-point gym bag.
If we say that the sleek-looking gym bag is in fact a comfortable backpack, do we have your full attention? Yes, you read that right, a comfortable backpack can now double up as your gym bag. After reading this, if you are going to run to book a gym backpack, hold it for just a second. Below is a wholesome guide on all the important points that you must consider before finally making that purchase. Read on to know all there is to know about the perfect gym backpack.
Backpacks are state-of-art companions for almost any event, whether it is the office, a trip, or even a gym. However, while considering one especially for your gym routine, do opt for a backpack with shoe compartment. A backpack with a vented shoe compartment that can also double up as a laundry compartment is the perfect gym accessory. A separate shoe compartment means an additional space large enough to not only store your shoes or sweaty post-workout clothes but also to store your toiletries and other essentials. Don’t forget the ‘vented’ compartment feature. That highlights the point that the stench of your post-workout clothes does not fill the entire bag or the entire room for that matter.
No more worrying about the after-work party. Fearlessly head to the post-work drinks session or resume work after the lunchtime gym session. Your backpack with shoe compartment has all your essentials in place.
Once the storage space is looked after, look for a sleek design. With a stylish sleek backpack with shoe compartment, your backpack will no longer remain a mere gym bag. If the design is sleek, it adds versatility to your bag, which means that the bag is now travel-friendly or work-friendly too. No more entering crowded metros or buses with your old bulky backpack.
You may argue that the outer look itself does not make the backpack travel ready. You are right. The interiors are equally important. Fleece-lined pockets in the backpack will make it easier for you to store your glasses and jewelry, whether you are going outdoors or going hiking. Such detailed interiors surely make your backpack travel ready.
With all these multiple compartments and all the added weight that these compartments will hold, it is a must that the backpack must be made of premium material. Tough, premium-quality material such as ballistic nylon is what you must look for. Ballistic nylon lends strength and durability to your backpack. Loosely translated, it means that with this material included in the make, your backpack is sure to last longer. Now, ballistic nylon makes the backpack evenly distribute the weight of the contents. However, what will make carrying the backpack easier for you are padded shoulder straps. Do not forget to tick padded shoulder straps off your list when purchasing a backpack with shoe compartment.
Most backpacks are difficult to clean and often end up consuming a lot of your time in drying. That is another point that you must look out for. A quick-drying bag that retains its quality after washing or one that does not require deep cleaning is a must have.
There! Now you know everything that there is to know about buying a backpack with shoe compartment. From the large space and separate and vented compartments, a versatile design, to the material requirements. You know it all. All that is left for you to do now is to place all these requirements together and purchase the perfect backpack with shoe compartment.
With increasing awareness about the global impact of plastic, people are moving toward more environment-friendly ways of grocery shopping. Most people try to reduce their plastic usage by using reusable tote bags and shopping bags.
While this is one of the first and crucial ways of reducing plastic waste, there is more we can do to reduce plastic usage. You must have seen extremely thin plastic produce bags used in your local store. These plastic bags may go unnoticed, but they are a great contributor to the litter that ends in landfills.
These bags cannot be reused as they rip very easily. Also, they are extremely difficult to recycle. In such a case, it is essential to choose a better alternative to these bags.
Reusable mesh produces bags – A better choice
Incorporating a reusable mesh produce bag in your shopping regime can bring a colossal difference. They are a better alternative to plastic produce bags that can be used only once.
Not to mention plastic is extremely harmful to the environment as well as the stored fruits and vegetables. Hence using a Reusable mesh produce bag is a better alternative.
Some of the benefits of using Reusable mesh produce bags are mentioned below.
1. Reusable
Mesh produce bags are reusable which means a single bag will last you more than an average plastic bag. It will help you reduce the amount of plastic waste. The waste reduction may seem insignificant, but over time makes a colossal impact on the environment.
2. Healthy and safe
Storing your fruits and veggies in plastic bags is not a healthy option. A lot of chemicals are used in manufacturing plastic. It is no surprise that it is not the best material to store your edible fruits and vegetables. Moreover, fresh fruits and vegetables are more likely to get spoiled when stored in a nonbreathable plastic bag.
On the other hand, a mesh bag is extremely breathable and will help you store your fruits and vegetables easily for a longer duration of time. Your produce will remain fresh as well as healthy in a reusable mesh bag.
3. Convenient
Apart from being healthy and safe, your mesh bag is also more convenient for your fresh produce. You can easily use the bags for storing your produce in the refrigerator. You can carry your produce and wash them in the bag itself. For some green vegetables, storing them in a damp bag will help them remain fresh for a longer duration.
Sizes available
Your reusable mesh produce bags are available in many sizes variations. Your fruits and vegetables do not come in a single size. Therefore, having size variation in the case of your produce bag is not only important as well as mandatory.
The best alternative is to have a well-balanced mix of sizes so that you can choose the suitable size when needed. The three most commonly used sizes are:
Large
A large reusable mesh bag is suitable for carrying to your local store and vendor. You can accommodate a lot of fruits and vegetables in your large produce bag.
You can also use them for storing large quantities of fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator.
Medium
As the name suggests, a medium is somewhere in between the two size variants. You probably will be using this size the most. It can be used to store larger size produce.
You can also use it to keep bulk quantities of different fruits and vegetables.
Small
You probably won’t be using your small bags as much as you use the other two variants. However, it is a good idea to have a few small bags at your disposal.
Your small mesh bag will be suitable for storing produces like garlic, mushrooms, Brussels, beans, shallots, etc.
For small quantities of fruits and vegetables, you may not want to use a large bag, and mixing them can create chaos. In such a case, a small produce bag can be used to keep things organized and segregated.
Our earth is already burdened with tons of plastic waste. Animal and aquatic life are severely threatened with the plastic bag waste that is ending up in the landfills and water bodies. Even recycling plastic bags also consumes many water resources and eventually the recycled products are also a danger to the earth when their life ends.
Recognizing this, many movements have been taken place all across the world. Scholars and scientists came up with alternative options for plastic bags. Cloth bags, canvas bags, mesh bags, etc. are some earth-friendly options we have now in front of us.
After years of creating awareness, thankfully many of us are switching to reusable mesh produce bag in place of single-use and throw plastic bags. There are still many people who do not realize the need to shift to reusable mesh produce bags.
As you move along this article, you will realize the top reasons to use reusable mesh produce bags.
Fewer toxins: When we carry vegetables in plastic bags, chances are high that the plastic seeps into the skin of the vegetables. Besides, we start dumping the used plastic bags into waste bins, water sources, and landfills. Some people even burn them unaware of the poisons they release into the air.
By shifting to reusable mesh produce bags, we can ensure that the vegetables are fresh and we are not adding any more toxins to them from our side. Secondly, they greatly reduce the number of plastic use and throw bags. Thus, we can cut down on the seepage of toxins into the environment too. One reusable bag will last for months together which means at the end of the year, you have saved the Earth from thousands of plastic bags from being ended in the dump. Imagine how many millions of plastic bags we can cut down if everyone starts switching to reusable bags.
Great options: Gone are the days when reusable bags were meant to be available only in limited colors and prints. Now we have a plethora of options available around us to choose from in the reusable mesh produce bag range. They are stealing the attention of the youth and elders alike with their captions, colors, and sizes. So why should we miss out on this eco-friendly fashion trend?
Retains freshness: Reusable mesh bags retain the freshness of vegetables. They provide breathing space for the vegetables and let them stay fresh for a long. They do not limit the circulation of air, unlike plastic bags that tend to spoil produce faster. You can also store vegetables directly in refrigerators by keeping them in mesh produce bags. They are handy to pick when needed and also gives a clear view of what is where in the fridge.
Cost-effective: Reusable bags are now available in plenty of budget options. You also can find good quality ones in a high price range. They last long and are usable in many ways. Down the time, you can use them multiple times thus cut down the wastage that would be produced by choosing cheaper options otherwise. A large pack of mesh produces bags are available for 15-20 dollars. This is an investment that you are making towards offering fresh vegetables to your family and making a contribution to your children’s future.
Multipurpose: Mesh produce bags are multipurpose. They are usable in many ways. Clean them from the residues of dirt of vegetables and dry them or wipe them. Use them in wardrobe organizers or baby cloth organizers. Put the vegetables in mesh bags and organize your fridge. You can see all the vegetables available and will no need to waste food due to wastage of not being visible that can happen in plastic bags.
Baby-friendly: Reusable bags are children safe. They are made of cloth and eco-friendly material. Unlike plastic bags, they do not send toxins when children are playing or putting them in their mouths. By using eco-friendly mesh produce bags, your house turns safer and greener.
Summing Up
Thus, mesh produce bags offer many uses apart from serving the need for vegetable shopping. They are one easy way for you to contribute to your child’s greener tomorrow. Use mesh produce bags and spread the awareness too from your side!
Gone are the days when we have to collect firewood and start making a campfire to stay warm during a memorable camping vacation.
But still, we have our doubts. Are heaters for tents safe for use?
Well, there is no size that fits all. The answer depends on many factors. As we move ahead let us delve into them one by one.
Factors to consider while buying heaters for tents
Here is a list of factors you should check before finalizing on your camping tent heater:
Source of electricity: If your camping site has a power source, you could opt for an electric heater. Else, propane heaters should be your choice. If you carry additional refills of propane, you are good to go with your camping nights. So, check with your campsite about the same before moving on to your heater shopping.
Budget: Camp tent heaters are available in various budget ranges. The cheaper ones might sound light on the pocket but your safety might be compromised. This also doesn’t mean that the costliest heaters promise safety. No. Look for established brands that guarantee warranty and offer heaters in the medium price range.
Features: Choose tent heaters that have modern facilities such as auto tip in incase of any unforeseen incidents. They help avoid major hazards and you can have peace of mind. Check for the label – “For indoor use” on any tent heater. When choosing a tent heater, check if it is tilt proof and comes with a low oxygen level detector.
Seek friend’s advice: If you are embarking on your first camping or had an unpleasant experience with camp heaters in the last camping, make sure to reach out to friends and family members who have good experience in camping. Take their suggestions about choosing the brand of heater. You might as well get a solid piece of advice that might save bucks for you as well as guarantee safety.
Size of tent: Bigger sized tents might need propane-based heaters. If you have a power source at the camping site, you might safely choose an electric heater too. For small camping tents, battery-powered models are best suited.
The number of people: This decides the size of the tent indirectly. For one person, a smaller to medium tent might suffice, and thus a tent heater might be chosen accordingly. For two persons, the tent shall be bigger and you would need a tent heater of capacity 2000 BTUs.
Safety measures while using tent heaters:
First, we should understand that despite its make and model, any tent heater might cause hazards. It is, after all, made to heat the surroundings. So, care should be taken from our side not to make it the culprit.
Follow these precautions to enjoy a safer camping experience with your tent heater:
• Soon after purchasing tent heaters, read the instruction manual end to end. The manufacturer indicates the dos and don’ts of your new purchase.
• Additionally, you should gather enough knowledge on carbon monoxide suffocation and understand how to detect it and safeguard yourself from it.
• Do not forget to pack a carbon monoxide detector in your camping tool kit.
• If the tent heater is already an old one, check if it has still a warranty. Else, get it checked with an expert before heading on to the camping.
• If you are using a propane tent heater, make sure to put the propane tank outside the tent and heater inside while in use. Double-check that the connecting hose is tight enough and is not leaking the gas in any way.
• Allow sufficient ventilation for airflow and moisture to move in and out of your tent. This reduces the risks of gas leaks if any.
• Place the heater six inches, four feet, and three feet away from the sides, the top, and the front of the tent respectively.
• Keep away all the flammable and items that might get heated such as clothes, plastic bags, and sleeping pillows, and bags from the tent heater.
Conclusion
Tent heaters are like any other equipment that we use in our daily life. It is up to us to choose a proven brand not compromising on cost or our safety. When handled with care and knowledge, one can enjoy the fullest benefits of tent heaters.